Question

Which of the following chromatins are said to be transcriptionally active and inactive respectively?

(a) Euchromatin, Heterochromatin

(b) Euchromatin, Prochromatin

(c) Prochromatin, Euchromatin

(d) Heterochromatin, Euchromatin

This question was posed to me in an interview.

My doubt stems from Packaging of DNA Helix in portion Molecular Basis of Inheritance of Biology – Class 12

Answer 1

Correct choice is (a) Euchromatin, Heterochromatin

The explanation is: Inside the typical structure of a nucleus, the part of the chromatin which is considerably loose and stains light is said to be the Euchromatins. Likewise, the part of the chromatin which is considerably dense and stains dark is said to be the Heterochromatins. The part which is loose is said to be transcriptionally active, and the dense part is said to be transcriptionally inactive.